After the defeat to Vélez, Riquelme met with the Boca squad | OneFootball

After Boca's tough defeat against Vélez in Liniers, Juan Román Riquelme met with the team and they had a discussion about the current state of the team. The president gathered the coaching staff and players after the evening practice.

What was initially going to be a day off for the team turned into a day of reflection. The coaching staff, led by Claudio Úbeda, decided that the players would train on Monday, and after practice, they had a meeting with the Xeneize leader.

According to reports from inside the Ezeiza facility, the training, which as usual was behind closed doors, was notable for the presence of Juan Román Riquelme, who surprised everyone. 

The team, led by "El Sifón," did regenerative work with an eye on the upcoming match against Platense on Sunday, but first, they had to talk with the president, who gathered them to discuss the current football situation. 

Boca was not at all pleased with the image left by the team in last night's defeat against Vélez at José Amalfitani. This loss adds to the one suffered in La Plata against Estudiantes, showing a similar version, with very few similarities to what happens when they play at home in La Bombonera.

In the meeting called by Riquelme, the players and coaching staff participated, and all parties shared their views on the irregular start they are experiencing in the Apertura Tournament. The urgency to find a playing style is pressing because the debut in the Copa Argentina and subsequently in the Libertadores is approaching. 

Everyone is clear that Boca cannot relax for a minute and must secure as many points as possible in the regular phase of the Apertura Tournament to advance to the playoffs. Today, the team has 2 wins and 2 losses.

Riquelme and the demand on the squad

In the last interview given by the Xeneize leader, he was blunt with the team: “We haven't managed to win, we've always stayed right at the door. We need to take that step because we have to acknowledge it, we have to achieve it. And this year, this squad has those players we were all happy about who have been here for a year, other players have been here for six months, and well, this year we have to push them to the maximum because they have to bring us a lot of joy, right?”

In the same vein, he added: “They know very well that they need to win, that they need to see Boca fans happy because they like going to Rosario and having people wait for them at the hotel, going to Santiago and having people wait for them at the hotel, playing at La Bombonera and having it always packed.”

To close the topic, he stated: “They enjoy it a lot, so now, after having their time, it's time for us to take that step we all desire, right? Which is to win, to bring joy to Boca fans because in the end, you play for the fans. That's the only thing I understood when I was a football player: you play for them. And this is not about being a show-off or anything, you play for them.”

Keep reading:

Úbeda's "punishment" for Boca players after the defeat against Vélez

When Boca plays again in the 2026 Apertura Tournament after the defeat against Vélez

Concerned: Claudio Úbeda analyzed the defeat against Vélez, the injuries, and the lack of play

Boca's ratings in the defeat against Vélez

Another embarrassment as visitors: Boca felt the blow from Vélez and fell in Liniers

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.